Buying/Renting property in London: Where would you live?

• job on Wardour Street in Soho soon
  
• nice,
  
• cheap,
  
• average price there
  
• not too far out if possible, say 3-4 miles.
  
  

Ta

Warning long post...

First it's not about distance, it's about connections. You can be fairly close geographically and yet ages away in terms of transport. Second , even if she cycles if she has just moved here I doubt she'd want to be too far removed. So she wants somewhere which is a) easy to get to work, and b) close to places to go out.

Next everyone's definition of "nice" varries. Lots of people like places like putny, clampam, balam , cheap /remote bits of wimbolden because they're a bit more spaced out and have a more suburban, white middle class feel... If that sounds like your sister, look there. basically no one can really advise you on that without know your sis. Also you'll often find very smart and fairly rough areas side by side, so location wouldn't necessarily gauratee any more safety.

Cost is also similar. To me cheap is anything below £600pm. I don't know about her. Sounds obvious but remember you have to budget for council tax and bills.

Personally I would get her to look for a young, big flat share - at least 4ppl. If she's just got her and doesn't know people the last thing she wants is to be alone or move in somewhere with a few people who already have very set social groups. They will also be the cheapest deals which will give her more £s to go out. There are lots of downsides to big flat shares, but for the first year or so it's worth it IMO.

In terms of where to look avoid gumtree unless you are looking to take a whole flat/house. Moveflat is good and spare room. I'm sure there are others but you seem to get nice well rounded people on those.

Location...

... Most people have a N/S bias. The furthest south I would probably ever consider is Borough. So always bear that in mind when people give you advice.

My suggestions would be;

• Mannor House. It is not "nice", but it's on the Picadilly and Finsbury Park is one stop which gives you the victoria so she'll be able to get into soho relatively easily. There are lots of good bus routes as well. It's also cheap. There's Finsbury and Clissold Parks nearby which are great in the summer and it's not too far from Stokey.
  
  

Bethnal Green again it's not nice but it's on the central line so good links. It's also near old st and shoreditch. There are also really good bus connections and plenty of parks nearby for the summer. Plus lots of other young people move there when they first get to london so it's a good place to meet people.